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Sneaky user interfaces, such as unwanted bundleware default checkboxes are now expanding into digital newspaper subscriptions. The Boston Globe's site uses lightly-colored close buttons and increases the price as the user goes through the sales process, as well as includes some newsletter-signup defaults. These dishonest-by-design interface elements that are intended to trick or obfuscate users are called dark patterns.
What are some of the most egregious examples you have seen? Have you even been asked to implement a design you found morally distasteful?
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Sneaky Sales and Pricing Practices Online
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(Score: 3, Informative) by rondon on Tuesday April 26 2016, @02:36PM
Talk to your bank if you get ACH Direct Debits that are not authorized or correct. They should absolutely be on your side, as the laws around ACH are very onerous for banks.
A bank I used to work with dropped several ACH customers during my tenure there because they had to refund customers money. This puts their ACH operations at risk, which makes them very, very mad.
Again, do not in any way deal with the offending party unless you intend to continue doing business with them. Your bank (as long as you aren't talking to a mindless peon, avoid those please) will be immensely more help. If you do need to continue doing business with the offending party, let them know that if they don't fix it immediately you will talk to your bank, who will.
I used to work at a bank in the ACH dept, but I am not an expert. Take my advice with the proper amount of salt.
Oh, and don't use direct debit, it was never implemented for your benefit as a consumer.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 26 2016, @11:12PM
It isn't just direct debits. You can challenge any debits to your account (and, technically, credits too), which includes cash withdrawals, checks and transfers. However, most banks limit their liability to the minimum, which is 30 days after the statement date. I've successfully challenged all sorts of charges.
My favorite was a company that overcharged me and I bounced around on the phone for an hour, so I told the guy to put a note that I would challenge their next with my bank. That was after he told me I'd have to call back the next day at 8 AM to jump through even more hoops with a different department to get it straightened out. So, I hung up, called my bank and challenged it. Next day, the billing department calls me. I told them I was busy and they'd have to call me back between the hours of 1 and 4. Called me back at 12:30, so I told them they were early and put the phone next to the radio for 35 minutes. The person, somewhat exasperated wanted to work out a deal I didn't like, so I said no dice and hung up. Never did see the charge on my bank statement nor hear from them again.